//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Polished To A Sheen // Story: Shining the Enduring // by Graymane Shadow //------------------------------// Edge Sheen shifted uncomfortably on the mattress, trying to find a decent position. She would have preferred to lie on her back, but the damage her armor had taken from the manticore's tail had left several cuts that were still healing, which meant that she was forced to rest on her chest and stomach until her back had healed. At least as far as hospitals went, this one was better than average. The Crystal Guards had access to the same facilities and doctors as the Princess and Prince, one of the perks of the position. In her case, it felt like one last consolation prize before her inevitable dismissal from the Guard. She didn’t see how they could keep her. It was bad enough that she had failed in the task the prince had assigned her, but now she was a cripple. The doctors hadn’t even needed an x-ray. They’d taken one look at her ruined left wing before deciding that amputation was the only viable option. If she’d been able to retract it before the impact, it might have been salvageable, but it had been fully extended in her attempt to try and recover from the blow, meaning it had crumpled like an accordion when she hit the wall, pulverizing most of the bones and shredding the tendons in the process. She closed her eyes in pain at the memory. Even though the wing was gone, she could still feel phantom tingles from where it had been. They’d told her that would pass with time, just like they'd assured her that nothing could have been done to save her wing. They’d told her a lot of things she wasn’t sure she believed. All she knew was that her time in the Crystal Guard was over. A pegasus that could not fly was not fit to serve. She heard hoofsteps approaching. Careful to make no sudden moves, she kept her eyes closed and slowed her breathing. With luck, whoever it was would think she was asleep. She really didn’t feel like talking to anypony right then. “You know, I haven’t spent much time in this infirmary, but I’m betting the food is as lousy as the one in Canterlot.” Shining Armor’s tone was amused, and she felt his hot breath on her ear as he leaned down to whisper, “Commander, you can’t fool the former Captain of the Royal Guard with the fake-sleep trick.” She opened her eyes reluctantly, watching as Shining moved a chair over to the front of her bed. “Maybe I was just trying to sleep, sir,” she replied, trying to balance being curt with being respectful. Even if she were discharged from the Guard, the prince was still royalty. “Well, you shouldn’t sleep on an empty stomach,” he replied, pulling a few fresh haycakes from his satchel with a conspiratorial grin. “Pilfered these from the kitchens on my way down here. Thought you might be hungry.” As unhappy as she felt, the smell of the warm food did brighten her spirits, if only a little. She took the cakes gratefully, quickly eating them before any of the nurses came to scold her. “I won’t ask how you’re holding up,” he continued, and now his visage turned serious. “I’m damned sorry you had to lose your wing.” The warm haycakes in her belly clashed with the cold feeling in her chest, the ice contracting around her heart. “It’s my job,” she mumbled, staring at the bedsheets. She couldn't quite face him just yet, not after she'd failed him. “Horseapples!” he snapped. Her eyes widened in surprise – she’d never heard him speak quite so frankly before. Then again, he was a member of the Guard before he became a prince. “There’s nothing in the oath or laws that say losing a wing is part of the job. What happened to you was wrong.” She looked up at him. “It was wrong that you were caught up in something I should have been able to handle myself,” he continued. “I was too damn stubborn to admit I needed help with my own problems, and it nearly cost both of us our lives. It cost you your wing.” He sat there in silence for several seconds, as if choosing his next words carefully. “At any rate, I don’t intend to let you saunter off into the distance. And not just because I owe you my life, something I intend to see you properly rewarded for, though I suspect Princess Cadance will handle that. I’m here to give you some options.” “Options, sir?” She tried to keep the note of hope in her voice controlled. “The first thing you should know is that you are absolutely not going to be discharged from the Crystal Guard.” She felt her heart leap in her chest, and a smile broke out on her face. “Of course, you’re not required to stay, but given that you look like I just told you that Hearth’s Warming is here early, I’m guessing you’re fine with sticking around.” He grinned. “Now, I do have to tell you that a spot opened up in Canterlot for a transfer, if you wanted to get out of here and move to the place where all the action is. Princesses Celestia and Luna both said they’d be happy to have you serve on their personal guards.” “This an attempt to get rid of me, sir?” she asked, still smiling. “Oh no, not at all. I’d much rather have you stick around. But I wouldn’t be much of a leader if I didn’t give you all your options.” Edge knew some of her fellow Crystal Guards wanted that transfer, wanted what they saw as greater glory. It had never been what she wanted. Her heart remained in the Empire, and always would. “I’d prefer to stay here, sir.” “I’m glad to hear that. Because I was hoping to offer you a promotion. Even Keel has submitted his retirement papers, and I need a new Captain of the Crystal Guard.” “Me?” She blinked. “But wouldn’t Lucky Lance be next in line?” “I’m asking you, aren’t I?” “But – “ Seeing she wouldn’t be deterred, he sighed. “You’d have found out soon enough anyway, but Lance will be handing in his resignation in the next week. He won’t be a problem.” It was a lot for her to take in. Just a few minutes prior, she’d been expecting to leave the Guard; now she was being asked to lead it instead. But she'd long prided herself on being quick on her hooves, and so her answer was quick in coming. “I accept your offer, Your Highness,” she replied. “Excellent.” His relief was palpable. “It’ll be a few weeks before the announcement, but Even Keel will want to see you as soon as you feel able, to start discussing the changeover.” He started to rise from his chair, making to leave. “Sir?” She hated to ask, but she knew it would bother her if she didn't. “Captain?” She bit her lip. “Can I ask why me?" Shining stared into her eyes for several seconds, before giving her a gentle smile. “Because you’ve already learned the most important lesson, Edge. You know what it’s like to lose.” He gave her a pat on the hoof. "Let me know if you need anything else while you're in here." She nodded, lost in thought. She wasn't sure what to make of his statement just yet, but at least it had given her something new to think about. "Captain of the Crystal Guard..." she said, letting her voice trail off. It was a big responsibility. She hoped she was ready for it.